Militant group's move sparks Somali riot

ELASHA BIYAHA, Somalia, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Somali students and residents of village near Mogadishu staged a riot to protest the actions of an Islamic militant group, witnesses say.

The village of Elasha Biyaha erupted in protests Tuesday when members of the Hizbul Islam militia took down a Somali national flag flying above a school and replaced it with black flag, prompting disagreements with school administrators and students, who began a large demonstration, Shabelle Media Network reported.

The broadcaster said several people were injured in the riot before calm was restored Wednesday, when businesses were reopened and traffic resumed.

Shabelle said it was unable to contact the Islamic administration of Hizbul Islam. It noted the disturbance was the first such demonstration against the militia in the area, which is under their control.